You’ve recently invested in a pair of beautiful, custom made hearing aids, and they’re making a world of difference. Now you’re wondering how to fix common problems, so you can keep your shiny new devices in tip top shape for years to come. Want to hear a secret? Many of the most common hearing aid problems can be fixed from the comfort of your own home if you follow these few simple tips and tricks.
Problem #1: Your Hearing Aids are Very Quiet
If your hearing aids seem very quiet, even if you’ve turned the volume up all the way, then there’s probably sometime wrong. Time to do some detective work, and solve that problem!
The first thing you should do is carefully look over the entire hearing aid, from the microphone opening to the sound outlet, tubing, and earpiece. You’re looking for any cracks, moisture, or blockages such as a buildup of dirt or wax. If you find anything, all you need is a quick cleaning with a soft cloth, or for really tough dirt, you’ll need a bit of elbow grease, and your hearing devices will be back to working like a charm. If you find any damage or cracks, your device will need to be repaired before it’s back in working order. Contact us at your nearest My Hearing Centers location, if this is the case.
Couldn’t find any blockage or damage? Next, try adjusting the volume controls, or test out a different setting. Flip between different programs to see if all programs seem softer than usual or if it’s just one setting. It might not be the entire device that’s soft, but just a technical problem with one of the settings. If none of these tips make a difference, think about how long you’ve had your hearing aid, and whether it’s possible that your level of hearing loss has changed considerably. In some instances, quiet hearing aids may mean your hearing abilities have changed. It may be time to visit us and think about getting a hearing devise that matches your level of hearing loss.
Problem #2: The Sound is Garbled or Fuzzy
Have you experienced a fuzzy sound? Your volume is just fine, but the sound itself seems distorted, making it difficult for you to understand what’s being said around you. This is also an easy fix, and is usually the fault of the battery. Turn off your device and open the battery door. Check for any corrosion, discoloration, or rust. The ears are a humid, damp place for your hearing aids to live, so the batteries are particularly susceptible to moisture damage. If the battery or the battery contacts, those little metal bits that connect to the battery, seem corroded, then throw out the battery and clean the contacts. Replace the battery and try them out. The sound should be crisp and clear again.
Make sure you’re on the right settings, and aren’t on a mode that’s trying to connect to a telecoil or PA system. If none of these are working, visit My Hearing Centers, where we will look for damage, and make any repairs necessary to make sure your devices are in ship shape.
Problem #3: There’s a Lot of Feedback
Having trouble with feedback? Our modern, sophisticated hearing aids are designed to reduce or eliminate feedback, and have advanced programs that work to do just that. If you’re suddenly experiencing a lot of feedback, there’s definitely something wrong. If you hear a lot of whistling in your ears, take your hearing aids out and try putting them in again. You may have just stuck them in too fast this morning, and they’re sitting a little funny. If this has been a problem since the day you bought the hearing aids, you may need to visit us and adjust the fit to make sure they’re sitting in your ears correctly. You may just be experiencing feedback because the volume is too high. Try turning down the volume a notch or two, and see if the feedback stops. Whistling can even be caused by a buildup of wax in the ear, since it’s not allowing the sound from your hearing aid to travel into your ear normally, but is bouncing the sound back out of your ear, causing feedback.
Regular Maintenance & Repairs for Your Aids
If you are one of the millions of Americans who have hearing loss, and depend on your hearing aids to help you navigate your day, don’t let these common problems stop you from hearing. Schedule regular maintenance cleanings and repairs with your hearing specialist at My Hearing Centers. If you have any other problems with your hearing devices, don’t hesitate to visit us at My Hearing Centers, where we’re quick to find and fix problems to get you back to hearing as soon as possible.